Pakistan’s parliament has approved a bill that will extend the terms of the country’s military heads from three years to five, in proceedings rushed by the ruling coalition government amid strong protest from the opposition.
The new measure means that army chief General Asif Munir, who has been in office for two years, will continue to head the country’s powerful military at least till 2027.
The parliamentary proceedings which were telecast live turned disruptive as angry protesters from former prime minister Imran Khan’s party staged strong opposition, tearing copies of the bills.
Lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by imprisoned leader Mr Khan, argued that the bill was hastily passed without proper debate and said amendments were an attack on the democracy of the country.
The key constitutional amendments from the government of prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, who leads a coalition of parties opposed to Mr.Khan that took power after an election in February, are largely seen as aiming to shore up support from powerful military figures. The amendment to The Pakistan Army Act of 1952 was moved by defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and passed by both houses of parliament.
The law will extend the tenure of three service chiefs – Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff – to five years from three. (Independent)
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